PUTRAJAYA: The surprise visits to frontline government departments will continue, says Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
He said that his visits come following reports from the Public Complaints Bureau that most of the complaints received this year were on departments failing to meet client expectations, poor facilities and issues linked to enforcement.
"As with my recent surprise visit to the Road Transport Department (JPJ) counters in Putrajaya, I will continue my surprise visits nationwide.
"This will be done without the involvement of any senior officers," he said at the 2024 KSN Leadership Aspiration ceremony at the De' Seri Endon Hall, Puspanitapuri here on Tuesday (Sept 10).
In his special "Public Service Reform" address to civil servants, Shamsul Azri said he was not out to find fault or to gain popularity by such visits as his goal is to ensure that the government's delivery system is at its best.
He added that department heads should also adopt the "management by walking around" practice to ensure that the services for the rakyat are up to the mark.
On Sept 2, Shamsul Azri directed that JPJ in Putrajaya improve on its waiting time for clients including the waiting area after noting several broken chairs and the lack of fans.
Following his visit, JPJ director-general Datuk Aedy Fadly Ramli announced that the department would introduce new improvements in phases starting Monday (Sept 9), focusing primarily on services at its counters nationwide, to reduce congestion and waiting time.
Meanwhile, in a move to instill a greater sense of patriotism among civil servants, Shamsul Azri suggested that Negaraku be played weekly at all ministries.
"The more it is played the better. I will request the National Unity Ministry to fine-tune the matter so that a directive on instilling a patriotic culture among civil servants can be issued immediately," he added.
The move was among the several measures announced by Shamsul Azri for civil servants to better appreciate values and good governance in line with the Madani concept.
